Paula Verrette, MD, senior vice president of quality and physician services
has been instrumental in the implementation of the Intensivist Program.
“This new program ensures that a certified expert in intensive care
medicine is available around the clock in our CCU to assess patients,
consult with primary care physicians, respond to questions from other
members of the care team, and lead care-related decision-making to support
optimal patient outcomes,” said Dr. Verrette. “Given the high
baseline risk associated with the CCU population and the model’s
demonstrated impact on quality and patient outcomes, Leapfrog’s
Intensivist-led staffing model for critical care has become the gold standard
nationwide.”

Hospitals that are compliant with the Leapfrog standard for CCU physicians
staff their CCUs with intensivists who are present during daytime hours
and provide care exclusively for CCU patients. An ICU physician staffing
(IPS) model has been shown to reduce the risk of mortality in the CCU
by up to 40%, shorten CCU length of stay, and increase cost-effectiveness.
The IPS model is endorsed by the National Quality Forum and is used by
multiple top ranked hospitals nationally.

Participating intensivists in Huntington Hospital’s program will
be dedicated entirely to in-hospital critical care. Those selected will
have completed a primary residency and board certification in a specialty
area such as surgery, internal medicine or anesthesiology, as well as
an additional two- to three-year fellowship and certification in critical
care medicine. Their availability is expected to improve patient survival
rates, further enhance quality of care, promote medication safety and
decrease the potential for complications arising from critical care procedures.